I’m going on book tour! I’ve got a frantic few weeks coming
up, which I’m actually looking forward to. When I first became a published
author, I always felt a little nervous about bookstore readings. Why? Not
because I was afraid to speak in front of people. I can natter on for hours, as
those who know me can vouch for.
What terrified me was that no one would show up. Well,
folks, I’ve been there and done that. Don’t have to worry about it anymore. I’ve
heard from some of the most popular authors around, that it happens to them,
too. Simon Wood said he would rather have no one at all show up than have only
one or two. If no one shows up at least you can pack up your wounded pride and
slink home—or to the nearest bar. But if a couple of people show up, you must
act as if the room is full and give them the whole talk.
And then there’s the story Robert Crais tells of sitting in
a mall with stacks of books, and getting the stink eye from everyone who
passed. The one person who stopped asked if he knew where the restroom was. Books sales? Zero.
Around home I have a loyal pack of friends and fellow
writers who will usually turn up. What amazes me is when a lot of people come
to see me in a place where I don’t know anyone. Some bookstore owners have
terrific promotional skills. They beat the bushes and get lots of people out. (hello
Chris Burke at Clues Unlimited in Tucson). And it also amazes me that writer
friends will strong-arm a bunch of people to bookstore readings (I’m looking at
you Catriona McPherson), and others who show up even if they’re working like
crazy (Matt Coyle, Lisa Brackmann).
No matter how popular the author or the bookstore,
attendance at readings is a crapshoot. No one knows what makes people flock in
one day and a few months later same day, same time, no one shows up.. There are
a few things that can definitely skew the results, though:
1)
Weather—I had a few loyal people show up at a
bookstore in Phoenix IN AUGUST. But generally that’s a bad time of year for a
reading there. On the other hand, I had a terrific turnout in Austin in the
middle of a sleet storm—one book club said they had driven an hour on
treacherous roads to come to the reading. Go figure.
2)
Competition—the worst showing I ever had I found
out I was competing with The Blue Angels, as well as one of the most beautiful
days of the year. Who wanted to come out of a glorious Sunday afternoon and into
a bookstore—especially since traffic was at a standstill pretty much all over
town. Runner up for worst showing was a very cold night in Dallas when no one
showed up. At least not for me. They did, however, turn up for Amy Tan down the
street.
3)
Lack of promo. It’s up to the author and the
bookstore to promote, promote, promote. And as the author you need to make sure
the bookstore personnel has done its job. I learned that at my hometown
bookstore. I thought I had arranged everything—but my assumption that the
bookstore would order my books was totally wrong. Turned out they were used to
only hosting independent authors who brought their own stock.
4)
Overexposure. I’ve had books come out in pretty
rapid succession, and I realized that no matter how generous friends are, they may
not be thrilled to hear me speak yet again. So this time when my book came out,
I’ve only booked a couple of events at bookstores. That doesn’t mean I’m hiding
out-I have some multi-author events scheduled—but that I’m being judicious.
What I’m learning is to do the best I can and to treat every
person who attends as if he or she intends to buy a carton of books to hand out
to family and friends.
On that note, I will close so I can get started packing for
Southern California. I will be at Mysterious Galaxy tomorrow night and Book
Carnival Thursday night. Wish me well!
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